FAREWELL BUT NOT GOODBYE:  Christina Wood 

I've found from my time here, that you will never find another place like it. The learning experiences, the workshops, the people, and the artistic influence is like nothing else in the world. When I first started, I was shy and not too sure of myself, but the members got me involved (sucked me in) into so many different activities.

My first experience working on a film shoot was for Gia Milani's Short Film Venture project "Bathroom Stalled". I was amazed! All I did was ask if I could help and all of a sudden, my name was on a crew list! It was all too easy, or so I thought! I had a great time helping out with craft services for Gia and before you knew it, I was on more projects, helping out in many more ways. I never realized how addictive these indie shoots can be! From that, I grew into a film junkie monster! Before you knew it, I had my hands into everything and the shyness quickly disappeared (ask anyone!). I started taking workshops, joined the writers roost and even helped on the Silver Wave Film Festival last fall, and had a blast the entire time.

Cathie and Tony have helped me out in other ways as well, like signing me up for the Leadership Fredericton program through the YMCA. I did about 2 program days every month for about 5 months, and learned a great deal about leadership and confidence in any career, but especially non profit organizations like our dear Film Co-op. I also made lots of great friends and in all it was a very rewarding experience.

Also working here, I had the wonderful opportunity to spread my wings creatively on a number of projects, including the dvd library, and making various posters and graphics for events at the Co-op and film projects. It really helped me find inspiration for my own work, as sometimes I've gotten stumped trying to cook up new ideas. As a cure for that though, there was many a day I sat in front of Photoshop trying to come up with some way to make artwork for an abstract short film. Try it sometime, it's not as easy as it sounds!

I think the most important thing I'll take away from this experience is confidence. Having skills is like having tools, but if you don't know how to use them, or don't have the confidence to use them, you won't get anywhere. At the NBFC, I was given the confidence to use my skills, and the drive to find new ways to express myself, and not be afraid of what the outcome will be. I can definitely say that all the members here have been great role models in many ways, but especially in being so brave!

I've also found that i was interested in things I never thought I would be into. Through the Co-op's annual provincial workshop series I've discovered a whole new appreciation for the technical and administrative duties involved in film, art direction and cinematography, to the point that I'm now a dreaded "movie talker" that my friends want to kill, as I'm constantly interrupting an important scene to rant about something like lighting or framing.

It's really shown me a new depth of film I've never realized was there and now I definitely watch films differently, and have more varied taste in films in general.

I've also learned from my time at the Co-op that big budget films are great, but, so are short films. I can honestly say I enjoy watching the small budget independent films much more now. I guess I feel there's so much more to be said about a film that had to be creative with resources, to a film that didn't. One thing can definitely be said for our NB filmmakers, they never take anything for granted!

Well I'll keep this short but dry your tears friends, it's not like I'm leaving the country! I just won't be here every single day at the Film Co-op.... maybe only every other day now. I'll still be helping out in every way that I can, so if any of you need an extra hand for a shoot, some artwork done, or anything else you can think of, never hesitate to ask me, in fact I insist that you call me! I'll be so bored and lonely for you all, I'd be happy to run for coffee!

I want to thank you all for reaching out and helping me appreciate filmmaking all the more, and for your support. I'll never forget any of you or this great experience, and because of all of you, I'll never ever be too far away.

If you would like to meet with or talk to Christina, contact the Film Co-op at: info@nbfilmcoop.com